Sphere and pins assembly puzzle

ABSTRACT

A puzzle game comprising a hollow sphere having a plurality of openings randomly formed therein, each of the openings being alignable with another opening, and a plurality of pins of predetermined dimensions, each of which is selectively inserted by a player through a pair of aligned openings wherein the puzzle is solved when the length of each pin as inserted through the aligned openings generally corresponds to the dimension of the chord line which is extended just beyond the outer surface of the sphere between the aligned openings.

llnited States Patent [191 Scott 7 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Straw Balance,Readers Digest Book of 1000 Family Games, copyright .1971 by the ReadersDigest May 28, 1974 Assoc., Inc., Pleasantville, N.Y. page 376 PrimaryExaminer-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Salter & Michaelson[57] ABSTRACT A puzzle game comprising a hollow sphere having aplurality of openings randomly formed therein, each of the openingsbeing alignable with another opening, and a plurality of pins ofpredetermined dimensions, each of which is selectively inserted by aplayer through a pair of aligned openings wherein the puzzle is solvedwhen the length of each pin as inserted through the aligned openingsgenerally corresponds to the dimension of the chord line which isextended just beyond the outer surface of the sphere between the alignedopenings.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 28 I974 FIGS 1 SPHERE AND PINSASSEMBLY PUZZLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to a game device and has particular application as a puzzlegame, wherein a player by his skill and intelligence attempts to locatecomponents of the game in proper predetermined positions.

Puzzle games have been known heretofore and have taken various forms asdetermined by the structural embodiments thereof. Some of the heretoforeknown puzzle games have been rather complicated in structure and,therefore, havebeen relatively prohibitive in cost for the ordinaryconsumer. Therefore, as a general rule, the most successful of theheretofore known puzzle games have been uncomplicated, yet have providedsufficient play interest to attract the player in the use thereof. Inall such puzzle games the maximum appeal is obtained when the earlysolution to the puzzle is determined by the skill of the player. Thus,the puzzle game has maximum interest when it can be used to test theintelligence and progress of the user in the play of the game.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The puzzle game as embodied in the presentinvention includesv a hollow sphere preferably formed of a transparentplastic material and having .a plurality of openings formed in randomrelation therein. The openings are formed such that each may be alignedwith another, wherein a line extending through the aligned openingsdefines a chord of the sphere that when extended just beyond the outersurface of the sphere has a predetermined length. A plurality of pinsare provided of varying lengths, but each pin is of a predeterminedlength that corresponds to the length of one of the chords formed bythe; aligned openings in the sphere. The object in solving the puzzle isto locate each pin in an appropriate set of aligned openings so that thepin may be firmly secured therein. Each of the pins is formed with ahead that defines a stop as the pin is inserted into one of the alignedopenings, the other endof the pin having a threaded portion formedthereon. Upon projection of the pin through the other aligned opening ofthe sphere, a threaded nut is mounted on the threaded portion thereof.When all of the pins have been correctly inserted through theappropriately aligned openings, the end of each pin will protrude fromthe sphere just enough so that the nut when located on the threadedportion of a pin will fit flush with the end thereof. The solution tothe puzzle is to locate all of the pins in the prescribed alignedopenings.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apuzzle game by which the skill of the player is required in order tosuccessfully solve the puzzle involved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a puzzle game which isrelatively simple in the operation thereof so as to appeal to players ofall ages, and is further economical in the manufacture so as to enablethe puzzle to be successfully marketed.

by a player in accordance with a prescribed solution so that whencorrectly located, each of the pins protrudes just beyond the surface ofthe sphere for receiving a fastener in flush relation thereon.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the bestmode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the puzzle game embodied in the presentinvention, wherein the pins that are included as components in the gameare located in the assembled position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a sections view taken along line 2--2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sections view of a portion of thesphere used in the puzzle game showing a pin inserted in an openingtherein; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of several of the pins as used in thepuzzle game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing andparticularly to FIG. 1, the puzzle game as embodied in the presentinvention is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. The puzzlegame 10 is generally of that type that requires the player toselectively place components of the game in a prescribed array, and thesolution to the puzzle depends upon the skill and intelligence of theplayer.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the puzzle game 10 includes a sphere 12 thatis formed of a transparent plastic material and that is divided intohemispheres indicated at 14 and 16. The hemispheres l4 and 16 areseparated by a median line 18 that is preferably formed as a beadedportion extending around the junction of the hemispheres. Thehemispheres l4 and 16, which are preferably molded of a transparentplastic material, are joined together at the beaded median line 18 insome appropriate manner, such as by an adhesive, or the plastic materialmay be heated to a fusing temperature wherein the hemispheres are joinedtogether by fusing of the mating edges thereof.

Formed in the hemispheres l4 and 16 are a plurality of holes or openingsthat are located in random relation. As will be described, in thesolution of the puzzle each of the holes or openings as formed in thehemispheres 14 and 16 is alignable with'another opening, and the lineextending through the aligned openings defines a chord of the sphere.The puzzle game 10 also includes a plurality of pins of varyingdimension as illustrated in FIG. 4; and since the chord lines as definedby correctly aligned openings in the sphere have a prescribed dimension,a pin corresponding to the prescribed dimension of the chord line mustbe inserted by the player through the aligned openings for correctlocation of the pin. The rules of the puzzle game provide that each pinmust extend through a pair of aligned openings such that the ends of thepins just extend or protrude outwardly of the surface of the sphere, andin effect each pin substantially corresponds to the dimension of thechord line between the aligned openings through which it is inserted.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the pins comprises a bolt having ahead and a threaded end portion on which a nut is adapted to be mounted.Pins are formed in varying dimension; and as illustrated in FIG. 4, apin 20 is provided with a head 22 and has a threaded portion 24 formedon an end thereof. A nut 26 is securable on the threaded portion 24 ofthe pin 20. A second pin 28 is illustrated as having a slightly greaterlength than the pin 20 and has a head 30 formed on one end and athreaded portion 32 formed on the other end for receiving a nut 34. Athird pin 36 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as being of greater length thanthe pins 20 and 28 and includes a head 30 and a threaded portion 40 thatreceives a nut 42 thereon. In all, seven pins are utilized in the playof the game, and of the remaining four pins, two are of the same lengthas pin 20, one is the same length as the pin 36. It is understood thateach of the pins as used in the puzzle game is formed with a head on oneend and a threaded portion on the other end that receives a nut inthreaded relation thereon.

As described hereinabove, the beaded projection 18 divides the sphere 12into hemispheres l4 and 16; and as presently contemplated andillustrated, an equal number of the openings is formed in eachhemisphere. Although the majority of openings as formed in onehemisphere are aligned with openings formed in the other hemisphere, thepuzzle is made more interesting by providing at least one pair ofaligned openings in each hemisphere. This is represented by the openings41 and 41a formed in hemisphere l6 and through which a pin 43 extends.The hemisphere 14 also includes aligned openings through which a pin 45extends.

In the play of the game, the player attempts to solve the puzzle byinserting each pin in what he considers to be the correctly alignedopenings. If the dimension of the'chord line of the selected openingscorresponds to the length of the pin selected, the pin will projectthrough the openings, the head of the pin engaging the outer surface ofone of the openings and the threaded portion ofthe pin protruding justbeyond the surface of the other opening. The nut is then mounted on theprotruding threaded portion of the pin, and the nut when screwed on willfit substantially flush with the end of the pin as it protrudes throughthe surface of the sphere.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pins are shown inserted inappropriately aligned openings; and as illustrated, each of the pinsprojects just beyond the surface of the sphere for receiving a nutthereon. The openings as formed in the sphere 10 have a diameter that isslightly less than the diameter of the heads of the pins so that thehead of each of the pins engages the surface of the sphere and defines astop. The nut for each of the pins also has a dimension that is greaterthan the diameter of the openings and, therefore, will define a stop soas to lock the pin in position in the sphere.

After the player has selected what he considers to be the correctaligned openings for a particular pin, he inserts that pin therethrough.As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pin 28 has been inserted throughaligned openings 44 and 46. With the nut 34 mounted on the portion 32 ofthe pin 28, the outer surface of the nut 34 fits substantially flushwith the end of the pin. This indicates that the pin 28 has beeninserted through the correctly aligned openings and that the chord lineas defined by the openings 44 and 46 corresponds generally to the lengthof the pin 28. The pin 36 has been inserted through openings 48 and 50,and the nut 42 has been mounted on the threaded portion of the pin 36,the outer surface thereof fitting substantially flush with the end ofthe pin. This also indicates that the pin 36 has been inserted throughthe correctly aligned openings. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, thenut 26 has been mounted on the threaded portion 24 of the pin 20 andfits flush with the outer edge thereof. It is seen that when all of thepins as employed in the play of the puzzle game are inserted through thecorrectly selected openings, the chord lines of which correspondgenerally to the length of each of the pins, the puzzle is solved. Inthis connection the player may check the solution by shaking the sphere.If any of the pins rattle as mounted in the aligned openings, one ormore of the pins have been improperly fitted therein. This indicatesthat the player has not correctly solved the puzzle. The puzzle issolved only after all of the pins have been inserted into the correctlyaligned openings so that the nuts as mounted on the threaded portion ofeach of the pins fits substantially flush with the outer surface of thepins. As described, the pins used in solving the puzzle are of variouslengths and each pin must be inserted through an appropriately alignedopening so that all of the pins as fixed in the sphere will be firmlyattached in place therein and will not rattle upon shaking of thesphere.

It is contemplated that the shank of each of the pins will be providedwith a number thereon for purposes of identification. However, theopenings as randomly formed in the sphere 12 will not be so identified,thereby enhancing the play value of the puzzle. The numbers as formed onthe shank of the pins may be utilized for describing the solution to thepuzzle in any directions that will be provided with the puzzle game; andin the written solution of the puzzle game, each of the aligned openingsmay be assigned a number that will correspond to the numbers formed onthe shanks of the pins. In this manner, the solution to the game will beavailable to the players by reference to the written material suppliedwith the game.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A puzzle game, comprising a hollow sphere having a plurality ofopenings formed at random therein, each of said openings being alignablewith another opening, wherein a line extending through the alignableopenings defines a chord of said sphere that when extended just beyondthe outer surface of the sphere has a preselected dimension, and aplurality of pins, each being of predetermined length that has acorresponding relation to the preselected dimension of a chord, whereineach of said pins is properly securable in said sphere only if it isrelated in dimension to a preselected chord length after being insertedthrough a pair of openings, each of said pins having a head on one endthereof and a threaded portion formed on the other end thereof, saidhead having a diameter that is greater than that of said openingswherein the head of each pin defines a stop for a pin when it is locatedin a pair of aligned openings, a threaded nut corresponding in size tothe head of a pin and being securable to the threaded portion thereof,said nut cooperating with the head of a pin to secure the pin in a pairof aligned openings.

2. A puzzle game as set forth in claim 1, a pin being properly securablein said sphere when the threaded portion thereof protrudes just beyond aopening in which the pin is inserted for receiving a nut thereon insubstantially flush relation with respect to the end thereof.

3. A puzzle game as set forth in claim 2, said sphere being formed of atransparent plastic material, wherein said pins as secured therein areexternally visible.

4. A puzzle game, comprising a hollow sphere having a plurality ofopenings formed at random therein, each of said openings being alignablewith another opening,

wherein a line extending through the alignable openings defines a chordof said sphere that when extended just beyond the outer surface of thesphere has a preselected dimension, and a plurality of pins, each beingof predetermined length that has a corresponding relation to thepreselected dimension of a chord, wherein each of said pins is properlysecurable in said sphere only if it is related in dimension to apreselected chord length after being inserted through a pair ofopenings, said pins being of various lengths so that only one pin iscorrectly insertable through any selected pair of aligned openings, eachpin having a head formed on one end thereof and a threaded portion onthe other end, a nut being receivable on the threaded portion after thepin is inserted through the aligned openings to lock the pin in thesphere.

1. A puzzle game, comprising a hollow sphere having a plurality ofopenings formed at random therein, each of said openings being alignablewith another opening, wherein a line extending through the alignableopenings defines a chord of said sphere that when extended just beyondthe outer surface of the sphere has a preselected dimension, and aplurality of pins, each being of predetermined length that has acorresponding relation to the preselected dimension of a chord, whereineach of said pins is properly securable in said sphere only if it isrelated in dimension to a preselected chord length after being insertedthrough a pair of openings, each of said pins having a head on one endthereof and a threaded portion formed on the other end thereof, saidhead having a diameter that is greater than that of said openingswherein the head of each pin defines a stop for a pin when it is locatedin a pair of aligned openings, a threaded nut corresponding in size tothe head of a pin and being securable to the threaded portion thereof,said nut cooperating with the head of a pin to secure the pin in a pairof aligned openings.
 2. A puzzle game as set forth in claim 1, a pinbeing properly securable in said sphere when the threaded portionthereof protrudes just beyond a opening in which the pin is inserted forreceiving a nut thereon in substantially flush relation with respect tothe end thereof.
 3. A puzzle game as set forth in claim 2, said spherebeing formed of a transparent plastic material, wherein said pins assecured therein are externally visible.
 4. A puzzle game, comprising ahollow sphere having a plurality of openings formed at random therein,each of said openings being alignable with another opening, wherein aline extending through the alignable openings defines a chord of saidsphere that when extended just beyond the outer surface of the spherehas a preselected dimension, and a plurality of pins, each being ofpredetermined length that has a corresponding relation to thepreselected dimension of a chord, wherein each of said pins is properlysecurable in said sphere only if it is related in dimension to apreselected chord length after being inserted through a pair ofopenings, said pins being of various lengths so that only one pin iscorrectly insertable through any selected pair of aligned openings, eachpin having a head formed on one end thereof and a threaded portion onthe other end, a nut being receivable on the threaded portion after thepin is inserted through the aligned openings to lock the pin in thesphere.